American actress
Graduated from Mercer Island High School, near Seattle, WA.
Attended Fordham University in New York City.
Parents: Louis G. "Lou" and Annette Cancelmi.
Siblings: Louis Cancelmi , an actor and writer, and Michael Cancelmi, Italian teacher.
Along with S. Epatha Merkerson , Milena Govich , Jeremy Sisto and Jerry Orbach , one of only five "Law & Order" cast members to play a different character in an episode before joining the cast in a later season. (Michael Imperioli also played multiple roles, but was not a permanent addition to the cast as Det. Nick Falco.).
Nominated for a 2007 Drama Desk Award for her performance in "The Internationalist" (Outstanding Actress in a Play).
Sister-in-law of Elisabeth Waterston , Katherine Waterston , Graham Waterston.
Grandparents: Harry J., Sr., and Mary Smetana Cancelmi.
Nominated for a 2009 Lucille Lortel Award for her performance in the off-Broadway play, "Becky Shaw" (Outstanding Lead Actress).
Has two uncles, Norbert A. Cancelmi, of Bethel Park, and Harry J. Cancelmi, Jr., of Waynesburg, Greene County, Pennsylvania, and three cousins.
She took her stage name from her late great-grandmother, Anna Maria Parisse, who lived in Washington, the wife of her great-grandfather Gaetano Cancelmi.
Her godfather is her uncle Harry J., Jr., who is a defense attorney.
Her mother is a teacher at Saint Kilian Parish School in Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania.
Her father is a senior executive with Alaska Air and her mother is a first-grade teacher at Newport Heights Elementary.
Teacher of Acting for the Camera at the Fordham University Theatre Program.
Her paternal grandfather was an Agent for the Pennsylvania Department of Justice (1934-1941) and a Western Pennsylvania District Supervisor of the State Parole Board (1942-1968).
Gave birth to her 1st child at age 34, a son, Emmett, in October 2009. Childs father is her husband, Paul Sparks.
Her father is of half Italian and half Slovak descent. Her mother is of half Italian and half Syrian ancestry.
Second child, a daughter.
When I first became an actress, I expected to do regional and classical,theater; I just love the whole creative process.
